Very Bad Things (Briarcrest Academy #1)(58)

She halted, and I saw indecision on her face and then sorrow. But, in just a few seconds the vulnerable look was gone and a tougher Nora eyed me. One with a tight face and a wall around her. This was the girl I’d created when I let Tiffani in my bed.

A well-dressed tall guy came running out the school doors. “Nora!” he called out, jogging over to her side. He smiled crookedly and handed her a textbook. “You left that in class,” he said, standing too close to her.

I watched her eyes move from me to him; I saw her body pivot toward his. I felt my heart crash and burn.

Lanky guy flicked his eyes at me. “You okay out here? Need me to walk you to your car?”

“No, I’m fine.” She shrugged. “He’s Sebastian’s brother.”

He nodded and lowered his voice. “Hey,” he said hesitantly. “Can I call you later? I . . . I have a question for you.”

“Having trouble in Cal already?” she said with a smile, arching her brows. Even though I had no right to her, her smile for him pissed me off. She should only tease with me. Which was ridiculous.

He blushed. “No, something else.”

She hesitated, cutting her eyes at me. Hell yeah, I was listening. I was angry and maybe even hurt at the way she seemed to gravitate toward this guy.

“Uh, okay. You still got my number?” she asked him.

He smirked cockily. “Had it for years, sweetheart. I’ve got it memorized.” He patted where his heart was.

Now, she blushed. Was she f*cking him?

“Alright then, call me later,” she said, waving at him as he jogged backwards to the school, smiling at her the entire time.

She turned back around and started walking toward her car, avoiding my eyes.

“Who was that?” I asked, not caring about the tightness in my voice.

She kept walking.

I swallowed. “Nora, I’m talking to you.”

She stopped and glared at me. “Seriously? Fuck you, Leo. Who I talk to is none of your business.”

I looked away, deserving every bit of that. “I got my car back this morning,” I said, patting the hood.

She sighed, her eyes running over the Escalade. “I’m sorry for all the trouble it must have caused you.” Then she nodded, like she was done talking and walked over to her driver’s side door.

“Wait, don’t go. I’ve got something for you,” I said, running back to my vehicle, opening the door, and grabbing what I’d brought for her off the seat. I felt compelled to give it to her.

“Why?” she snapped once I’d turned back to face her.

I huffed. “I don’t know, okay. I just wanted to see you for a minute and give you this,” I said, gesturing at the book in my hand.

I walked toward her. “Sebastian said you’re staying with your aunt. Do you need anything? You know we have an extra room if you want to stay with us.”

I meant those words. I wanted to protect her. Sebastian hadn’t said why she’d left home, but I sensed it had something to do with why she’d made that list.

“I’m fine. I don’t think I’ll need your extra bedroom again,” she said curtly, still poised to get in her car.

I stood next to her and stuck the book out. She stared at it but didn’t take it.

She looked back up at me. “What’s that?”

“It’s a book, Nora. For you,” I said, hating the gulf between us. “Please. Take it. I thought about you when I saw it.” That was a lie. I’d searched for three hours for the damn thing, so she could have it.

She took it. “A guide to Paris?” she asked, staring at the Eiffel Tower on the cover. She read the title, “The Most Beautiful Walk in the World: A Pedestrian in Paris.” She got quiet, and I watched her face, seeing it soften a little.

“Is this for me?” she asked with a quiver in her voice. She coughed to cover it up.

“Um, yeah. I remembered Paris was your happy story, and I came across this in some of my mom’s things. Just thought of you, that’s all. You don’t have to read it or anything. It’s just an old book.” I shrugged.

She opened the cover and gasped. “Leo, your dad gave this to your mom. Look, he even wrote her a love note,” she said, showing me Dad’s sprawling handwriting inside the cover. “Are you sure you want to give it to me?”

“Yes,” I said, swallowing. Most definitely.

“Thank you,” she whispered, giving me an unsure look, like she didn’t understand me. Yeah, well, I didn’t understand me either.

I watched her flip through the pages, her face relaxed with pleasure as she peered at the pictures. It felt good, seeing her smile again.

She tucked the book in her backpack and unlocked her car door, ready to leave me. She liked my gift, but she couldn’t wait to get away from me. I didn’t blame her.

I had to make her listen to me. “Nora, wait. I want you to know that I think about you . . . all the time. I tell you shit I’ve never told anyone. About my parents. You’re not like any girl I’ve ever met. You make me laugh, you’re smart, you’re beautiful . . .” I stopped, my voice drifting off. Damn. This was all coming out wrong. I never meant to say any of that.

I reigned myself back in. “I want you around. I need you as my friend.”